APD graffiti investigation leads to 18 arrests

AUSTIN, TX (KXAN)-- The Austin Police Department announced 18 people have been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges following a ten-month investigation into reported graffiti cases throughout the city.

Working with various citizens, neighborhood associations, business groups and other law enforcement agencies including the Austin Independent School District Police and the Texas Department of Public Safety, evidence has been gathered in numerous graffiti incidents. This information has been used in filing charges. Most of those charged are adult repeat graffiti offenders.

Over the last ten months, an APD Detective has been investigating reported graffiti cases to crack down on those responsible for thousands of dollars in graffiti property damage. So far, the investigation has led to the identification of more than 130 graffiti suspects and at least two dozen graffiti gangs.

It's estimated that the total property damage cost of graffiti in Austin exceeds a half million dollars a year. APD has focused on graffiti crimes in an attempt to minimize the damage and emphasize that graffiti will not be tolerated by the community.